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Kiwanis Club of La Jolla Pancake Breakfast 2015

The 52nd annual Kiwanis Club of La Jolla pancake breakfast hosted La Jollans of all ages for a morning of fresh pancakes with all the fixins’, sausage, coffee and juice, along with music, a raffle and activities for children on July 25, 2015 at the La Jolla Recreation Center. Funds raised benefit the more than 60 programs supported by the Kiwanis Club of La Jolla. kiwanisclublajolla.org

Art in the Garden 2015

Art in the Garden, an exhibition and sale by Art on 30th artists (formerly known as the Ray Street Artists), became art next to the garden in light of a storm that drenched La Jolla July 18, 2015. Held at the La Jolla home of Lisa and Rich Tear, all the art arranged outside — including some large-scale pieces — was moved inside before the rain hit. Visitors roamed the halls and rooms to view the works and chat with the artists. Art on 30th is a full-service art center offering private artist studios and art instruction in the University Heights/North Park area of San Diego at 4434 30th St.

Athenaeum Music & Arts Library: Patron Dinner 2015

The Athenaeum Music & Arts Library at 1008 Wall St., La Jolla, held its annual Patron Dinner June 29, 2015 in honor of members donating $1,000 or more. It included a cocktail hour, catered sit-down dinner, and a signature Patron Gift. The tradition of a Patron Gift was started in 1994, when an exhibiting artist was commissioned to create a limited-edition work reflecting the character of the Athenaeum. The first reproduction becomes part of the Athenaeum’s permanent collection, the others are given as gifts to Patron-level donors. For more information, visit ljathenaeum.org

La Jolla Garden Club: Spring Luncheon 2015

The La Jolla Garden Club held its Spring Luncheon May 20, 2015 at La Jolla Country Club, guests of a sponsoring club member. On the agenda was the installation of next year’s officers, presentation of three horticultural scholarships to local students, and a report on the success of its Mother’s Day Gardener’s Market.
La Jolla Light was saluted for its coverage of club meetings which “in no small part has helped our membership grow,” said outgoing president Linda Ryan. “With increased membership, we have been able to increase the dollar amount of our scholarships, install a courtyard garden at the Historical Society, and plan a new landscape installation at the La Jolla Riford Library.”
The La Jolla Garden Club was established in 1968 and meets monthly (third Tuesdays) September to May at La Jolla Lutheran Church. It boasts more than 70 members and is a member of the National Garden Clubs and the California Garden Clubs — Palomar District. Interested in knowing more? Visit lajollagardenclub.org

La Jolla United Methodist Church Nursery School held its 17th annual Farm-to-Fork gala and auction, May 15, 2015 at the La Jolla Woman’s Club. The hoedown raised funds for the school’s scholarship program and new outdoor garden classroom. The church's nursery school has been open to all families in the community since 1972. ljumcns.com

Social Service League of La Jolla celebrates 60 years

Community leaders and friends of the Social Service League of La Jolla gathered at The League House on Olivetas Avenue, May 17, 2015 to celebrate 60 years of providing low-cost housing in La Jolla to senior retirees in need. City Council President Sherri Lightner was joined by many other elected officials, including 52nd District Congressmember and La Jollan Scott Peters, in proclaiming it “League House of La Jolla Day.”

Jewish Family Services' Heart & Soul Gala 2015: Mitzvah Awards

Jewish Family Services held its annual Heart & Soul gala, March 28, 2015 at the Hyatt Aventine in La Jolla. This year’s theme, Embracing Community, celebrated the accomplishments of the 2015 Mitzvah Award Honorees: Evelyn and Ernest Rady, Ron S. Zollman, and the agency’s partnership with Susan G. Komen, San Diego. Proceeds will benefit JFS’s work to empower individuals and families to move toward self-sufficiency, support aging with dignity, and foster community connection and engagement.

La Jolla Half Marathon 2015

Kosuke Amano and Jillian Dyer, both of San Diego, won the men and women’s division of the 2015 La Jolla Half Marathon on Sunday, April 26, with times of 1:12:22 and 1:28:06 respectively. In a repeat victory, Nick Sigmon of La Jolla won the 5K men’s division with a time of 15:30 (he also won in 2014), while Kristen Schleicher of Solana Beach won the women’s division in 18:09. Around 6,000 runners completed the scenic course that took off from the Del Mar Fairgounds and ended in La Jolla’s Scripps Park. Proceeds will benefit charitable programs supported by the La Jolla Kiwanis Club.

Honeybee Fashion Show and Luncheon 2015

Fashion designer Leonard Simpson staged a spring show for the Epilepsy Foundation of San Diego on March 18, 2015 at the Hilton La Jolla Torrey Pines. Jo Ann Kilty, May Zawaideh and Patty Elkus co-chaired the annual Honeybee Fashion Show and Luncheon benefit with honorary chair Joan Waitt, and 10News anchor Kimberly Hunt as the emcee. Guests were invited to dress in shades of yellow and revel in a Champagne shopping spree, lunch, auction and the runway show.

Foundation of La Jolla High School: Burning Red gala 2015

The Foundation of La Jolla High School’s annual gala, “Burning Red,” was held March 14, 2015 at La Jolla Country Club. Viking alumna Kristi Pieper chaired the event. Some 225 parents, teachers and alumni were entertained by the Funk Junkies Band while raising funds for the high school via a silent auction.
KUSI morning show host Brad Perry emceed the spirited evening, which featured a preview of the school’s musical “Anything Goes," as well as a rousing performance by the Viking Marching Band drum majors and flag girls, whose new uniforms were funded by the foundation. Proceeds will go into the foundation’s general fund, which includes support for a school nurse, college counseling services and the athletic trainer, along with other programs and capital items not funded by the school district. More information at www.foundationofljhs.com

San Diego Art Institute: MAS (Mutual Appreciation Society) Attack

One of the coolest art events of the almost-spring season took place Feb. 28, 2015 at the San Diego Art Institute in Balboa Park. It was a one-night-only mass meet-up called “MAS Attack,” where 75 Los Angeles artists joined 75 San Diego-area artists to show and view their work and create new possibilities for engagement with audiences.

Athenaeum Music & Arts Library: Ernest Silva exhibit opening

The untimely death of painter/sculptor Ernest Silva in February 2014 caused a wave of sadness through San Diego’s art community. Almost exactly a year later, on Feb. 20, 2015, some 200 friends of Ernie and art filled the main gallery at La Jolla’s Athenaeum Music &Arts Library for the opening of a show of his works called “Memory, Voyage, Full Moon.” The evening included a reading of poems by Pasquale Verdicchio, who had been working with Silva on a book they never got to finish.
A popular member of the Visual Arts faculty at UC San Diego since 1979, Silva was probably best known for his multisensory installation, “The Rain House,” at the New Children’s Museum downtown. In 1989, he received a National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) Fellowship in Painting, and in 2001, an Excellence in the Arts Award from his alma mater, the University of Rhode Island.
In 1992, he teamed up with La Jolla gallerist Mark Quint to create the original IN/SITE, an eye-opening, trans-border exhibition of art at venues throughout San Diego and Tijuana.
For years, Silva was a special friend of the Athenaeum, and had several exhibits there. To celebrate his memory, the staff produced a mini-version of his unfinished art-and-poetry project with Verdicchio, a little booklet titled “To Draw a Breath.”

American Heart Association: Go Red for Women luncheon

American Heart Association San Diego presented its “Go Red for Women” luncheon Feb. 27, 2015 at the Sheraton San Diego Hotel & Marina, focusing on three areas to support the fight against heart disease in women: heightening awareness of the issue, creating a passionate call-to-action, and generating funds to support education and research. For information on women’s heart health, visit heart.org and goredforwomen.org

Stella Maris Academy of La Jolla: ’80s-theme prom/gala

Parents, teachers and alumni of Stella Maris Academy were psyched to attend the school’s fundraising gala Saturday, Feb. 21, 2015 at Hyatt Regency La Jolla at Aventine, themed as an ’80s prom. To enhance the decor and spark conversation, guests donated their prom pictures, which were prominently displayed, adding to the fun. Approximately 200 people attended, some going the distance and donning their finest 1980s attire — including crimped hair and side ponytails. The evening started with a silent auction followed by dinner and dancing.

Charity Ball 2015 benefits Rady Children’s Hospital of San Diego

The 106th annual Charity Ball, “The Magic of Miracles,” took place Jan. 31, 2015 at Hotel Del Coronado to raise funds for Rady Children’s Hospital of San Diego. Guests were treated to dinner and dancing with entertainment by NRG. Rady Children’s is the only center in California to treat pediatric central nervous system tumors with Proton Beam Therapy, in connection with Scripps.

San Diego Mayor Kevin Faulconer visits La Jolla to chat with Group of 12 & Friends

San Diego Mayor Kevin Faulconer addressed the Group of 12 & Friends at the Sanford-Burnham Medical Research Institute on Feb. 4, 2015. Founded by Reena Horowitz and Doreen Schonbrun, the Group of 12 & Friends meets monthly at the institute in La Jolla for fun, fellowship, information and discussion about science, medicine, the arts, psychology, and cutting-edge discoveries and technologies. Each month, a prominent speaker addresses the Group with a dissertation on a subject of interest.
A full house of eager listeners heard the mayor speak of his vision to create opportunities for San Diegans and deliver results for every neighborhood. He stayed to answer a number of questions from the audience, and vowed to return to speak to the group again.

San Diego Opera 2015 Opening Night Gala

San Diego Opera jubilantly celebrated the opening of its 50th season with Puccini’s “La boheme” Jan. 24, 2015 at the Civic Theatre. “La bohème” was the first opera SDO produced in 1965. In a speech prior to curtain, board president Carol Lazier thanked community members, employees and ticket holders for rallying behind a new board of directors to save the opera company from closure last year. Lazier received a standing ovation. For information at sdopera.org

Social Service League of La Jolla: Winter Musicale at Darlington House, Jan. 2015

The Social Service League of La Jolla presented a Winter Musicale on Jan. 11, 2015 in the living room of the historic Darlington House to benefit League House, which provides affordable housing for seniors. Patrons sipped Champagne and wine, sampled cheese and hors d’oeuvres and heard the Anthem Trio perform classical music selections.
The next musicale is Feb. 15 with members of the San Diego Symphony (pianist Mary Barranger, violinist Eddie Stein and cellist Mary Oda Szanto) performing Beethoven’s variations on “Hail the Conquering Hero” for cello and piano, Bach’s solo violin Sonata No. 1, and Mendelssohn’s Trio in D Minor. Tickets are $40. (858) 454-7625.

La Jolla Cove Swim Club: New Year's Polar Bear Plunge 2015

The La Jolla Cove Swim Club’s 2015 Polar Bear Plunge on Jan. 1 was a festive event with an estimated crowd of about 300 participating at La Jolla Shores Beach. The morning was warmer than the previous several days, with the temps in the 40s and a water temp of 63 degrees. After exiting the water, participants warmed up with hot soup and chili, courtesy of La Jolla Cove Swim Club members.

Scripps Candlelight Ball 2014

The 85th annual Scripps Candlelight Ball took place Dec. 6, 2014 at The Grand Del Mar. After the cocktail reception, guests had dinner and danced to music provided by The Mighty Untouchables to benefit life-saving care at Scripps Memorial Hospital in La Jolla.

La Jolla Christmas Parade 2014

Thousands again turned out for La Jolla’s annual Christmas Parade and Holiday Festival Sunday, Dec. 7, 2014.
The parade included more than 17 equestrian entries and 50 riders, 14 floats, 14 bands, 17 marching units and an array of classic cars — including two Shelby Cobras that led the parade, along with Chinese sea lion dancers and Clumsy Mumsy the clown.

Cookies for the Troops Party 2014

Marilyn Barrett hosted the annual “Cookies for the Troops” party, Dec. 2, 2014 at her La Jolla home. Barrett, and local friends of the National Society Daughters of the Americana Revolution (DAR), La Jolla Chapter, brought dozens of cookies to share and donate to the Marines at Marine Corps Air Station Miramar.
Each guest dressed in red to add to the fun and some 20 pounds of cookies were collected.
Barrett’s daughter, Meredith Radzins, is a member of the Chapter along with Charlotte Perry, Linda Phillips, Nancy Shields and Virginia Brunson. Patriotic service is a major endeavor of DAR. The La Jolla Chapter has been active in providing items to the USO at the Airport, Wounded Warriors, The VA and the Chula Vista Veterans Home.

Barbara Party 2014

In recognition of the Feast of Saint Barbara (Dec. 4, 2014), a bevy of local Barbaras gathered at their namesake restaurant, Barbarella, 2171 Avenida de la Playa in La Jolla Shores, for their annual get-together. The event doubles as an assist to those living in homeless shelters as each Barbara donates a new toy or a pair of shoes, that will in turn be given to the needy.